TRANSCRIPT: DIMBLEBY: "At his celebration after the final round of primaries, Carter and his family knew the nomination was virtually in the bag. His lead was so great that within days all the other contenders withdrew and promised their support at the Convention. It marked one man's triumph over the Democratic Party machine."

SEQ. 2: CARTER: "It's a long way from Plains to Washington D.C., but we've made a great deal of progress lately. (cheers) Thanks to you, we've got a long way to go. In this country tonight, at this moment, there are 230 other victory parties like this one, and I'm glad we've got something to cheer about tonight. And we have. (cheers) It's just great. (cheers) Sixteen and a half months ago, on the 20th day of January, 1975, I began to campaign for President. I figured out last night that I've made 2,050 ??? (laughter) .. ??? (laughter)

DIMBLEBY: "At the end of last year, Carter was one of the outsiders among 15 Democrats campaigning for the Presidential nomination. What distinguished him from the rest, as he fought the first important rounds in New Hampshire in mid-winter, and went on to Florida in March, was the energy and dedication with which he planned his campaign, and above all his unconventional approach. People were sceptical at first, but after his Florida triumph he became the candidate all other candidates knew they had to stop.

"The powerful East Coat establishment and the press tended to scoff at the chances of the unknown peanut merchant from Georgia. His campaign seemed too calculatingly packaged, and what he said too olib for him to be credible to people who'd come to believe Watergate was closer to the norm of American political life. But Carter understood that America was ready to try a fresh face."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A successful candidate needs a simple majority of the votes, 1,505 from the total of 3,008, to secure the nomination. When the Primary elections had been completed, in mid-June, Mr. Carter had 1,134 definitely committed to him. His nearest rival, Mr. Morris Udall, had only 331. Since then, Mr. Carter has had about another 400 votes released to him that were either pledged the candidates who have withdraw in his favour or were uncommitted. This looks like being enough to give him the nomination on the first ballet.

The Republican Party will be choosing their candidate next month.

Initials CL/1730

DAVID DIMBLEBY

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the United States, the Democratic Party's National Convention opens in New York City next Monday (12th July). It is as certain as anything can be in polities that before the week is out, Mr. Jimmy Carter, the former Governor of Georgia, will have been chosen as the party's candidate for the Presidential election next November. David Dimbleby of the British Broadcasting Corporation recalls how Mr. Carter has emerged as favourite since the beginning of this year.